A skills shortage in the North Sea oil and gas sector is expected to push the average wage up 15 per cent this year a new report from an industry recruitment firm claims.

Oilandgaspeople.com's survey of 2,200 oil and gas companies found 7o per cent of respondents were worried wages were rising too fast, with the average wage expected to reach £73,600 this year.

Demand this year is also expected to reach all-time highs, the survey suggests.

Nearly half (46 per cent) of respondents blamed the skills shortage in the UK sector on a wider global skills demand,though 35 per cent said it was down to a historic lack of investment in apprenticeships.

Kevin Forbes, chief executive of oilandgaspeople.com, said: “Our survey shows that with increased investment in North Sea Oil, demand for qualified staff is set to reach an all-time high, which will exacerbate an already serious skills shortage.

"It is a problem that is being further exacerbated as UK candidates head abroad to earn even higher wages with a huge demand for qualified expats globally.

"Terms and conditions are increasing at the same time as UK oil and gas companies try to compete for a dwindling number of skilled staff.

"The companies are right to pinpoint the dual impact of historic lack of training and pressure from well-paid jobs abroad."